Sato blows Button away

Sato looked like the only man capable of splitting the Ferraris at the Nurburgring and set a new record by becoming the first Japanese to start a GP from the front row. He was very close to becoming the first Japanese to finish second in a Formula 1 race, but an opportunist dive down the inside of Barrichello at Turn 1 cost him a chance of a podium place, even before his engine failed.

"I am extremely disappointed, ending the way I did with engine failure," said Sato. "Today the car was very strong and although I lost my position at the start, I regained it again at turn one. Throughout the race I was fighting all the time, and when I came out of my last pit stop on new tyres I had a lot of grip and felt confident that I could challenge Rubens in the Ferrari, but I saw the opportunity to get past Rubens but unfortunately we touched."

In spite of another podium opportunity lost, Sato can take pleasure in his strongest race performance in F1 and the promise that his luck is due to turn in the grands prix to come.

"At least I had a strong race, the pace of the car was good and it could have been a very good result for me. Now we have to look forward. I am expecting a good test at Silverstone and am looking forward to Montreal and Indianapolis."

Meanwhile Button could console the team with yet another podium finish - his fifth of the season. Button himself has yet to fail to finish a race.

"Obviously this podium was slightly more lucky than the other four, but a podium nonetheless," said Button. "This was obviously Taku's shot at the podium, but considering the problem I've had with grip throughout the weekend, third place is a great result for me."

The BAR-Honda team still lies in third place in the constructors' championship, as does Button in the drivers'.